MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. — Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones said law enforcement arrested a third suspect, Malachi Franklin, after the deadly Valentine's Day shooting in Sweetwater.
Jones posted early Saturday morning that Monroe County deputies and Knoxville police officers found and arrested Franklin in Market Square on Friday, February 24.
Jones says MCSO believes Franklin is connected to the incident that killed a 2-year-old girl. Franklin is the third suspect being held criminally responsible in the case.
Franklin has a slew of charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a handgun while under the influence. He is being held in the Monroe County Jail without bond.
Two brothers are facing similar charges in connection to the case. They are currently scheduled to appear in court on March 31.
Franklin was scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27, however, the Monroe County Clerk's office said his arraignment was delayed after he was placed on suicide watch.
On Monday, arrest records in Monroe County showed Itzhui Huerta had been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, along with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and the use of a firearm during a dangerous felony.
Two people died in the shooting and three others were wounded. On Feb. 21, MCSO identified the fifth person shot as one of the suspects, Itzhui Huerta. He went to a Lenoir City hospital for treatment, according to MCSO. It's unclear how long he received treatment.
His brother, Liu Huerta, is facing similar charges. The MCSO said the two are being held criminally responsible for the actions of their brother, Lenning Huerta, who died in the Valentine's Day shooting.
Lenning Huerta is believed to be the one who shot 2-year-old Alayna Butts in the head before he was shot and killed that day, according to an affidavit. Alayna died in the hospital on Feb. 17.
The shooting began on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in the 600 block of Hawkins Road. Dispatchers said the call first came around 4 p.m., and deputies learned that a child had been shot while driving to the home.
When they arrived, deputies found a man, identified as Lenning Huerta, unresponsive on the porch with a gunshot wound to the head. Lenning Huerta was later pronounced dead.
According to the affidavit, Lenning Huerta is believed to have fired the first shots, which hit 2-year-old Alayna Butts in the head.
You can find more details about what law enforcement says happened here.